Cabbage Beef Bake
What You’ll Need
- 1 lb Ground beef (lean works best!) 🥩
- 1 medium Head of green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces 🥬
- 1 Medium onion, diced 🧅
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 can (15 oz) Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes 🍅
- 1 cup Cooked rice (optional, omit for low-carb/Keto) 🍚
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese 🧀
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika 🌶️
- 1 tsp Dried oregano or Italian seasoning 🌿
- Salt & Black pepper to taste 🧂🖤
- Olive oil for sautéing 🫒
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prep the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onions. Drain any excess grease. 🥩🧅🔥
- Season: Add the minced garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper to the beef. Stir in the tomato sauce (and cooked rice if using). Let it simmer for 5 minutes. 🍅🧄🌀
- Soften the Cabbage: In a separate large pot, steam or sauté the chopped cabbage with a little olive oil and water for about 5–8 minutes until it’s slightly tender. 🥬💧
- Layer It Up: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Place half of the cabbage on the bottom, top with half of the beef mixture, and a sprinkle of cheese. Repeat the layers! 🥧🧀🤝
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. ⏲️🔥
- The Cheesy Finish: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake for another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling as seen in the photo! 🧀🥨🤤
- Serve: Let it stand for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and dig in! 🍽️😋✨
🔥 Pro Tips:
- The “Extra Flavor” Secret: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for an extra savory kick! 🌶️🛡️💎
- Meal Prep Hero: This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. It’s the perfect “cook once, eat twice” meal! 🍱⏳🎯
